Digital 2010 Radiant Flooring Guide

Now Available
Imagine you are at a client's home and discover you forgot to bring along a copy of the 2010 Radiant Flooring Guide, or you are at a convention and need some quick information about using cork flooring over a radiant heating system. Open your Internet browser and key in this address: http://tinyurl.com/rfg-digitalmag-2010.
The 2010 Radiant Flooring Guide is an indispensable tool for architects, heating contractors, mechanical contractors, floor covering retailers and installers, builders, wholesalers, radiant system specifiers and homeowners. It includes an updated directory of radiant floor product manufacturers. The guide will help you make a more informed choice regarding the best flooring to be installed over radiant heating systems.
Readers can click on direct links to articles listed in the Table of Contents or browse page by page as with the printed version. Ads are linked to advertisers' Web sites for more information.
To purchase printed copies of the 2010 Radiant Flooring Guide for $15, contact Stephanie Weingartz at weingartzs@bnpmedia.com, phone 248-244-1275, or visit www.AECstore.com.

Aquatic announced its executive team consists of Gary Anderson, president; Martin Joines, senior vice president of sales; Dave McFarland, director of marketing; and Rick Reysen , vice president of operations. Prior to the Lasco Bathware-Aquatic Whirlpools merger that resulted in Aquatic, Anderson was president of Lasco Bathware; Joines was Lasco's senior vice president of sales; McFarland was Lasco's director of marketing and Reysen was Lasco's vice president of operations.

ECO Supply (Richmond, VA), an East Coast distributor of green building products, is the exclusive national distributor of Suberra, a new high-density cork composite that can be used for vanity tops, kitchen islands, tabletops and other work surfaces. Suberra is 100% post-industrial recycled, machines easily with standard woodworking tools, and is naturally resistant to water, heat and microbial growth. It also contributes points toward LEED projects. Currently Suberra is going into small installations in Tucson and Phoenix, AZ, and it is being considered for a larger project at Michigan State University, according to a company spokesman. Read more.

Those who attended the International Builders' Show (Jan. 19-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center), could visit Whirlpool Corp. (booth #C3543) to watch a demonstration showing how energy usage can be altered during peak times to help homeowners make smarter energy consumption decisions. Also, Rinnai Corp. (booth #C3806) was promoting its energy-efficient products, including condensing tankless water heaters, condensing wall-mounted boilers and the Impression outdoor fireplace. Rinnai also hosted daily interactive knowledge sessions at its booth.

THG USA, the exclusive importer of luxury bath products from the house of Tetard, Haudiquez and Grisoni, made a notable appearance at the recent Golden Globe Awards ceremony. The elegant Papillon, from the THG Cristal de Lalique Collection, was the lavatory set of choice in the Presenters Lounge, which was visited by many Hollywood celebrities. Designed by interior designer Kenneth Bordewick, the Papillon set features intricately detailed butterflies designed by Lalique, the world-renowned crystal art and jewelry design house.

Whirlpool Corp. said its staff and experts from Habitat for Humanity were at its booth at the International Builders Show (Jan. 19-22, Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth ##C3543), ready to answer builders' questions about Habitat and its projects. To date, Whirlpool Corp. has donated more than 90,000 appliances globally through its involvement in Habitat for Humanity. Also at the booth, Whirlpool's Maytag brand was showing three kitchen packages: entry level, move-up and custom-built.

The Water Quality Association has advised that it is not calling member companies with alternative hotel information for WQA Aquatech in Orlando March 9-12. If a telemarketer, claiming to be acting on behalf of WQA, calls and suggests a hotel other than the Rosen Shingle Creek or Hilton Hotel-Orlando, please obtain their contact information and notify WQA at convention@wqa.org. The deadline for hotel reservations is Feb. 7; mention "attending WQA Aquatech USA meeting" to obtain the group rate.

Blog, Blog, Blog

What about Green?  by Joseph Sanchez

A recent survey of designers conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association revealed key design trends for 2010. Here are four trends for the bathroom:

1. In with the old, out with the new.
Traditional will be the most popular design style in bathrooms in 2010, as contemporary designs will be a distant second, followed by the Shaker style as an even more distant third. Beiges and bones will be the most common colors used in bathrooms, followed by whites and off-whites, and then by browns, indicating a somewhat subdued color palette this year.

2. Ceramic and granite.
Ceramic and porcelain tile will be the dominant flooring materials in bathrooms this year, while natural stone will continue to prove popular as well. Though increasingly popular in kitchens, hardwood flooring won't become common in bathrooms in 2010. For vanity tops, granite will remain king, with quartz and marble also proving popular options.

3. Simple fixtures.
Perhaps more than ever, the most common color for fixtures will be white. Bisque and off-white will be the only other fixture colors at all common in new or remodeled bathrooms. For sinks, simple undermount models will be most popular, followed by integrated sink tops, drop-in sinks, vessel sinks and pedestal sinks.

4. A nickel for every finish.
Faucet finishes in the bathroom are similar to those used in current kitchen designs, with brushed nickel continuing to lead the way in 2010. Polished chrome and satin nickel will also be incorporated into many bathrooms, just as they had been throughout 2009. These faucet finishes will be followed by bronze and stainless steel.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association is a non-profit trade association with nearly 40,000 members.

Can't wait for, or not able to obtain, the print magazine? Our Web sites provide a digital edition of each month's print issue, with all editorial and advertising content.

Brizo offers the Venuto with SmartTouch pull-down kitchen faucet that combines a sleek, stunning Zen-inspired design with  functionality and durability. Turn it on or off by tapping anywhere on the handle or spout. Other features include MagneDock, a magnetic docking system that securely locks the wand into the faucet spout, and a state-of-the-art Euro-motion Diamond Valve featuring one ceramic disc and one diamond-embedded ceramic disc that constantly polishes the ceramic disc.

Kohler Co. introduced the Vault family of fabricated stainless-steel kitchen sinks, designed to emulate the upscale look and feel of an undermount kitchen sink for less cost, at the 2010 International Builders' Show. Whether used with a laminate or solid surface countertop, the Vault kitchen sinks can be installed as undermount or self-rim. The sinks are constructed from 18-gauge stainless steel, have 9-inch basins and a lower-than-standard saddle, allowing for overflow. Silent Shield technology is utilized on the basin and walls of the sink. 

Steamist designed essential oil canisters for use with its Total Sense Collection's AromaSense function, as well as oil bottles that can be used with any Steamist steamhead, enabling homeowners to easily customize their steambathing experience. AromaSense adds fragrant essential oils directly into the steam line from the generator into the shower. The user can make a scent selection from inside the steambath. Each of the scents is designed with a specific purpose, such as to restore, relax, renew or energize. An additional fragrance is available to aid those with respiratory problems.

RotoZip's RZ2000 Spiral Saw can be used for smooth and accurate specialty cuts in a variety of materials, including wood, metal, Plexiglas, drywall, ceramic wall tile and even porcelain floor tile. It uses Constant Speed Control circuitry to maintain speed under load. The RZ2000's repositioned on-off switch, which works like the switch on a typical angle grinder, creates more comfortable ergonomics for easier use and increased precision. It has an integrated dust port that collects dust and debris for improved visibility and cleaner work stations. An adjustable handle strap allows users to maintain a comfortable, steady pace for cleaner cuts while Soft Start reduces initial torque for enhanced control.

Aquapal USA manufactures bathtubs and lavatories that it describes as "leisure style, art-in-form, hand-made creations." These products will be sold semi-exclusively and exclusively to select showrooms in the United States. The Zen ceramic tubs and basins are handcrafted in the Shigaraki region of Japan, near Kyoto. Shigaraki dates to the medieval period and is one of the six ancient kilns of Japan.

         AEC Store Corner

2009's Popular Products For BK Pros

Kitchen and Bath Laminate Countertops ‑ DVD $19.95
This 45-minute video provides installation shortcuts for a professional countertop job. Learn more.

Glass Tile Inspirations For Kitchens And Baths $29.95
View 205 color photos showing high-performance glass tiles both close-up and installed for walls, countertops and floor coverings in kitchens and baths. Read more.

College of Product Knowledge CD - NOW $89.85
This highly acclaimed product training series is ideal for wholesalers, manufacturers, agents, designers, contractors, technicians, engineers, architects and other pros.

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Granite Countertop Fabrication & Installation DVD - $42.99
Alpha Professional Tools offers a step-by-step DVD that covers all phases of production including purchasing materials, fabrication techniques, installation and presentation to your client. Read more.

Visit AECStore.com to view all of our technical resources, CDs and DVDs.